European Economic and Social Committee Highlights Growing Role of the European Citizens’ Initiative in Strengthening Participatory Democracy

European Economic and Social Committee Highlights Growing Role of the European Citizens’ Initiative in Strengthening Participatory Democracy

(IN BRIEF) The European Citizens’ Initiative has evolved into an important instrument of participatory democracy in the European Union, allowing citizens to request new legislation by collecting at least one million signatures across Member States. During the European Economic and Social Committee’s Civil Society Week, policymakers, civil society representatives and EU officials discussed how the initiative can be strengthened and how successful campaigns can lead to meaningful legislative outcomes. Since its introduction in 2012, more than 24 million signatures have been collected, and in 2025 four initiatives surpassed the one-million-signature threshold, demonstrating strong citizen engagement across Europe. Participants emphasized that EU institutions must respond seriously to successful initiatives to maintain trust in democratic processes, particularly at a time when public confidence in institutions is under pressure. Discussions also highlighted the role of the European Ombudsman in ensuring fairness and transparency, as well as the importance of civic engagement in reinforcing democratic legitimacy. Several initiatives were presented during the event, including campaigns addressing digital rights, political transparency, human rights protections and energy policy. The European Commission is currently preparing responses to additional successful initiatives and will soon begin reviewing the ECI Regulation to further strengthen the mechanism’s effectiveness.

(PRESS RELEASE) BRUSSELS, 4-Mar-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) has reached a new level of maturity after more than a decade in operation, with European policymakers and civil society representatives now focusing on how citizen-backed proposals can be more effectively translated into EU legislation. The issue took centre stage during the second day of Civil Society Week organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on 3 March, where participants examined the growing influence of the ECI and its future role in strengthening participatory democracy across the European Union.

Introduced in 2012, the ECI enables at least one million EU citizens from multiple Member States to request that the European Commission propose legislation in areas where the EU has legislative authority. Since its launch, the mechanism has generated significant engagement, with more than 24 million signatures collected across numerous initiatives. The year 2025 marked a particularly active period for the instrument, with four initiatives reaching the one-million-signature threshold, demonstrating the growing capacity of citizens to mobilise support across borders.

The increasing number of successful initiatives has raised questions about how EU institutions respond once the required number of signatures is achieved. Speakers during the discussion emphasised that collecting one million signatures creates a clear expectation that EU institutions will engage seriously with the proposals and consider meaningful follow-up actions.

Maria del Carmen Barrera Chamorro, Chair of the EESC’s Group on the European Citizens’ Initiative, highlighted how the mechanism has evolved from an experimental concept into a central tool of cross-border democratic participation. She noted that the initiative allows citizens across Europe to influence the political agenda at EU level and helps ensure that the concerns of minority groups and communities facing persecution can gain visibility in European policymaking.

At the same time, participants warned that the credibility of the ECI depends heavily on the institutional response to successful initiatives. If citizen campaigns end only with formal replies rather than tangible policy outcomes, it can lead to frustration and contribute to declining public trust in democratic institutions. Recent Eurobarometer data suggests that nearly half of Europeans consider growing distrust in institutions and political processes to be one of the most serious challenges facing democracy.

Teresa Anjinho, the European Ombudsman, addressed the importance of oversight in ensuring fairness and transparency when citizens engage with EU institutions through the ECI process. She explained that even when institutions fully comply with procedural rules, citizens may still perceive decisions as unfair or insufficiently responsive. In such situations, the Ombudsman’s office serves as an independent channel through which citizens can raise concerns and seek additional scrutiny beyond strict legal interpretations.

EESC President Séamus Boland also stressed the importance of rebuilding trust between institutions and citizens. He noted that democracy and civic space across Europe are currently under pressure and argued that participatory mechanisms such as the ECI provide an essential pathway to strengthening democratic engagement. When citizens feel that their voices are heard and taken seriously, he said, democratic institutions become more resilient.

Younous Omarjee, Vice-President of the European Parliament, echoed these sentiments, describing the ECI not simply as a procedural tool but as a deeply democratic concept that connects citizen participation with political representation. He suggested that the initiative acts as a bridge between European citizens and EU institutions, reinforcing the legitimacy of the Union through active civic engagement.

During the event, representatives of ten ongoing or recently completed initiatives presented their campaigns. These included initiatives addressing topics such as banning conversion practices in the EU, protecting digital ownership through the “Stop Destroying Videogames” initiative, improving transparency in European political parties, and reducing reliance on imports linked to Russia’s war.

One of the initiatives highlighted was “My Voice, My Choice,” which recently prompted a decision by the European Commission to confirm that European funds may be used to improve access to safe abortion services across the EU. The funding can support not only medical procedures but also travel costs for individuals seeking access to these services. Matteo Cadeddu, representing the initiative, described the decision as an important step forward that opens opportunities for cooperation with EU Member States, even though the final outcome differed from the original proposal for a dedicated funding mechanism.

European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, responsible for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, emphasised the growing importance of the ECI as a mechanism for public engagement with EU policymaking. He noted that the popularity of the initiative demonstrates the willingness of citizens across Member States to participate actively in shaping European policies.

Looking ahead, the European Commission is preparing responses to two additional successful initiatives — “Ban on Conversion Practices” and “Stop Destroying Videogames.” The Commission is also planning the next periodic review of the ECI Regulation, which could introduce improvements aimed at making the instrument more effective and impactful.

Participants at the EESC event also stressed the importance of early collaboration, networking and cross-border cooperation when launching citizen initiatives. Experience shows that successful campaigns rarely emerge spontaneously and instead depend on sustained coordination among organisations and supporters across multiple countries.

The discussions and recommendations generated during Civil Society Week will be formally presented during the EESC plenary session scheduled for 18 March, where policymakers and civil society representatives will continue exploring ways to strengthen participatory democracy in the European Union.

Media contact:

Ewa Haczyk-Plumley
Tel: +32 2 546 86 41
Mob: + 32 470 881 674
Ewa.Haczyk@eesc.europa.eu

SOURCE: European Economic and Social Committee